VeggieRx: Utilization and Outcomes of Promise Clinic’s Produce Prescription Program Addressing Food Insecurity in Uninsured Communities

Background: Food insecurity has profound implications for health outcomes and can exacerbate health disparities in vulnerable communities. VeggieRx is a fruit and vegetable produce prescription program implemented by the Homeless and Indigent Population Health Outreach Project’s Promise Clinic (PC), a student-run free clinic for the uninsured, with the goal of increasing access to fresh produce in this population. Methods: PC patients were enrolled in VeggieRx by volunteer Student Doctor teams and completed an intake survey. During the VeggieRx season, participants received up to four $30 to $60 prescription vouchers redeemable for fresh produce at the local farmer’s market. Post-surveys administered at the conclusion of the season assessed preliminary outcomes and areas for program improvement. We use descriptive statistics to describe survey responses of VeggieRx participants enrolled over three recent seasons (2021-2023), assessing baseline diet perceptions, program utilization, and self-reported diet outcomes. Results: Of all established PC patients, Student Doctor teams enrolled a total of 50 participants in the 2021-2023 VeggieRx seasons. Nearly half of patients reported not eating enough fruits and vegetables at 42%, with 58% of participants reporting affordability as a barrier to access and 22% reporting limited availability nearby. After VeggieRx, 61.9% of participants reported improvement in their fresh produce consumption, with 19.0% eating "a lot more" and 42.9% eating "somewhat more." Consecutive seasons had an increase in returning users, where nearly 41% of VeggieRx 2023 users had been enrolled in a previous season. Conclusion: Veggie Rx provided PC patients with increased access and affordability to fresh produce, demonstrating the feasibility of implementing produce prescription programs in student-run free clinics. This innovative care model integrates medical education with the ability to address food insecurity in diverse populations and form long-lasting relationships with community health partners. Future efforts will be aimed at increasing program accessibility and expanding its reach.